LIVERPOOL vs CHELSEA | Andoni Iraola Press Conference (Carabao Cup)

SPEAKER_1 (0:00)

Andoni, just want me to check first of all on Florian's ankle injury. How is that? And also any update as to when Dom was lying and if he knows he will be available again?

Andoni Iraola (0:09)

Yeah, I don't think I can help you a lot. We still have to wait. We train later and we want to win this last day.

He was quite fine. I think Florian, I'm quite optimistic that he will be available. And with Dom and Victor, I'm not so sure. I don't want to say no, but I think it's going to be more difficult than Florian, yes.

SPEAKER_1 (0:31)

Selection-wise then, are you thinking you have to go similar to what you did against Spurs, particularly with Arsenal to come at the weekend? Or does the fact that it's Chelsea at this stage of the competition and obviously you want to try and deliver a trophy in your first season as well, does that change your thinking? You think maybe you need to go with more regular starters?

Andoni Iraola (0:49)

No, I think there will be definitely changes, but we want to win the game. We want to be competitive. We need to see how the legs are. We are kind of not just in the Carabao Cup, also in the Champions League, trying to make some changes from game to game because I think it's almost mandatory. And we want to be in the next round and we've been unlucky in the draw. We are playing Chelsea. They've been unlucky also.

But we want to earn the right to be in the draw again. And that don't know what happens if you win.

SPEAKER_1 (1:29)

But in Scots, I mean, I don't know exactly how important you feel it is to deliver a trophy for the season. Can you tell us what your feeling is regarding that?

Andoni Iraola (1:38)

I think every competition is an opportunity, especially when you are the coach of Liverpool. And you have to take it like this. And I would love to win tomorrow and have the chance to get further in the competition. But I know that we have to play very well. We have to beat a very good team.

It's a team also that doesn't play in Europe. So for sure, for them, this competition is also very important.

So it's not going to be easy.

SPEAKER_1 (2:05)

A chance to beat another old friend before seeing another old friend of the weekend.

Andoni Iraola (2:09)

Yes, yes, yes, yes. I'm lucky because I have a lot of friends in front. They are good coaches. But at least it happened the past week with Inigo. I think after the game, whatever it happens, we will have a moment to at least have five minutes to chat with each other. Yes.

SPEAKER_4 (2:26)

Thank you. Hi, Andoni.

SPEAKER_5 (2:28)

You've won the last four games, scored 14 goals, but you have had to sort of rotate here and there, what within your different competition. So how reassured and pleased are you that you've been able to do that and still get the results as well?

Andoni Iraola (2:42)

I think it's not that we have a lot of options. We need to rotate. Every top team that plays every three days needs to rotate. Sometimes are forced rotations because you don't have players available and it's more difficult for me.

And sometimes it's because we consider for the different games, we have different demands and we have to go different tactically. But I'm happy because I see the team, everyone is involved and when we've had the need to use someone that was not playing for one game for 10 minutes, for has been there and has helped us, and the more players we can have in a good place, the easier it is going to be my selection. Even if it's hard in terms of leaving players out, I prefer those problems than not having the players ready.

SPEAKER_5 (3:29)

One player who's been sort of coming back in his school from the Under 21s the other days, Jadon Dans. He's been on the bench a couple of times after the long injury absence. So what have you made of him from what you've seen of him? And can he give you some different options?

Andoni Iraola (3:40)

With Jadon, the problem has been until now, this season, the availability.

He got injured just before starting preseason here. I was here with the Under 21s, then has had some setbacks and has been in and out. And I think he's now building some good minutes. He scored also the other day. He's in a good place. He's been with us mostly in the European games. And I hope he continues progressing and he pushes to fight for minutes.